GAMING: Wizards of the Coast crown Magic: The Gathering World Champ

The best Magic: The Gathering players in the world converged in Chiba, Japan this weekend for the 2010 World Championships. Over 350 players representing more than 50 countries battled in four days of head-to-head competition until Guillaume Matignon of France victoriously earned the coveted title of World Champion.

Taking home the title of World Team Champion was the Slovak Republic, which included players Robert Jurkovic, Ivan Floch and Patrik Surab reigned supreme. The Magic Online Champion, Carlos Romao of Brazil, was also crowned.

The 2010 World Championships was a four-day tournament where players from around the world gathered to test their skills. In addition to the main competition, the weekend also included several public events for Magic fans of all ages and skill levels.

The Magic Pro Tour is the highest form of competitive play for the collectible trading card game and its series of top-level tournaments lends itself to Magic players and fans all over the world. The first 2011 Magic Weekend for the Pro Tour and accompanying public events will take place February 10-13 in Paris, France.

About Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering is the first and most widely played trading card game. Players take on the role of Planeswalkers – powerful mages who battle others for glory, knowledge and conquest. Their weapons include spells, creatures, and artifacts gathered from a vast multiverse of unique fantasy worlds. With over 10,000 different cards available, Magic offers an unrivaled depth of game play with many levels of choice and customization for its players. The cards feature unique illustrations by top fantasy artists inspired by familiar elements of myth and legend. These elements weave together to provide a strategically rich and satisfying game play experience. Whether in the competitive arena or participating in a local Magic event, there is always an opportunity to shine.